Uma Thurman's Lancome lawsuit

Uma Sues Lancôme. Whose Side Are You On?

Uma Thurman is having a litigious year. It wasn't long ago that her stalker fan was found guilty, but now she's suing Lancôme — to the tune of $20,000,000.

Uma's beef? As a former Lancôme spokesmodel, she complains that the French brand continued to use her likeness to sell products even after her contract had expired. For instance, Thurman's image showed up on Canadian billboards and Asian web sites after the contract expired. Lancôme, who filed suit against Uma earlier this week to beat her to the legal punch, claims that those were accidents. "The use of Ms. Thurman's image after her contract expired, however minor, was neither deliberate nor intentional," a spokeswoman said.

Uma is asking for at least $5 million for four separate claims, which could net her $20 million. Now, I'm no Matlock, but I think someone is asking for a pretty big payday, especially considering she was likely paid a few million dollars for her endorsement in the first place. Whose side are you on, Uma's or Lancôme's?

It seems like a lot of money, but then, that's what celebs get paid for these things.If Uma had violated HER part of the contract, you can bet Lancome would have been all over her.If they accidently used her image four time, they need to pay her.

It seems like a lot of money, but then, that's what celebs get paid for these things.
If Uma had violated HER part of the contract, you can bet Lancome would have been all over her.
If they accidently used her image four time, they need to pay her.

I see Uma's point, but only because she could lose other contracts because of these photos.
I also think this is a sue high/settle low situation, so I seriously doubt that she is going to actually receive 20 million from this suit.

I see Uma's point, but only because she could lose other contracts because of these photos. I also think this is a sue high/settle low situation, so I seriously doubt that she is going to actually receive 20 million from this suit.

I see Uma's point, but only because she could lose other contracts because of these photos.
I also think this is a sue high/settle low situation, so I seriously doubt that she is going to actually receive 20 million from this suit.

Pywacket is on a roll. Ms. Thurman makes money on her likeness and she has to protect that valuable asset. That includes making sure that she has control over who uses that asset and how much money they're paying to use it.

AllaWallaBalla (cute kitty!) has summed it up well. This is a legal issue and the fact that some people find the amount of money she's asking for offensive, is understandable, but beside the point.
First according to every respected news site on the web (I adore bellasugar, but it's not exactly my go-to site for news), she is asking for around $15 million, which is basically the amount of her four-year contract with Lancome and therefore, a rather obvious starting figure to ask for. This is public record, not conjecture.
Second, Lancome's worldwide revenues in 2005 alone were 2.81 BILLION DOLLARS! That's BILLION with a B. Obviously, Uma's celebrity endoresment generated far more than $20 million.
In our celebrity-obsessed culture, the value of celebrity endorsements can not be overstated. Celebrities are paid exorbitant (to some) amounts of money for their likeness and image because it generates exorbitant amounts of income for the company. Obviously, the company gains much more monetarily than the celebrity or they wouldn't hire celebrities to endorse their products. That's just simple business practice.
While it's ludicrous to think that Lancome accidentally used her image multiple times on several continents after her contract had expired, it is even more ludicrous to think she should "just let it go."

AllaWallaBalla (cute kitty!) has summed it up well. This is a legal issue and the fact that some people find the amount of money she's asking for offensive, is understandable, but beside the point.First according to every respected news site on the web (I adore bellasugar, but it's not exactly my go-to site for news), she is asking for around $15 million, which is basically the amount of her four-year contract with Lancome and therefore, a rather obvious starting figure to ask for. This is public record, not conjecture.Second, Lancome's worldwide revenues in 2005 alone were 2.81 BILLION DOLLARS! That's BILLION with a B. Obviously, Uma's celebrity endoresment generated far more than $20 million.In our celebrity-obsessed culture, the value of celebrity endorsements can not be overstated. Celebrities are paid exorbitant (to some) amounts of money for their likeness and image because it generates exorbitant amounts of income for the company. Obviously, the company gains much more monetarily than the celebrity or they wouldn't hire celebrities to endorse their products. That's just simple business practice. While it's ludicrous to think that Lancome accidentally used her image multiple times on several continents after her contract had expired, it is even more ludicrous to think she should "just let it go."

It's the principle here that counts. Lancome is a very, very rich company. How do you "accidentally" use someone's image on a billboard ad? While Uma is no poor model off the street, there's a reason why contracts exist in the first place and a big company like Lancome should know better than to "accidentally" abuse a contractual agreement. Besides, if they wanted to continue using her a spokes model, why not just renew her contract? Oh wait, that would cost money and they'd rather just get her endorsement for free.

just because she's ASKING for 20 doesn't mean she'll get it-- almost every lawsuit starts with a big price tag b/c claimants sue on every ground they have. the end result is usually a lot more fair and reasonable as the claims that aren't that strong get cut.

I think that Lancome was definitely wrong for doing that. And I certainly don't believe they were "accidents". Please. I doubt that Uma will get the 20 million she's asking for, but she should be compensated.

Doll112 has a good point. What if Uma was soliciting other cosmetics endorsement deals following the conclusion of the Lancome contract? These unexpected and unauthorized uses could have derailed other agreements.